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A mother and her young child are recovering in hospital after an early morning highrise apartment fire.

Three police officers who rescued the pair were also treated for smoke inhalation.

The fire is suspected of starting on the balcony of the apartment unit on Weston Road near Lawrence Avenue West at about 3:30 a.m.

Toronto police Sgt. Steven Carmichael was the first on the scene, even before the firefighters could arrive.

He told CBC News he "opened the door. Called out. No response. It was thick with smoke and there was a fire ... so I went in. Unfortunately I only got in so far and was beaten back by the smoke and the flames. So then I went and got the [fire] hose [from the hallway] and started suppressing the fire."

Carmichael and the other officers found the mother and child and got them to safety.

They were treated in hospital for minor smoke inhalation.

The entire 14th floor had to be evacuated, but residents have now returned to their units.

Firefighters suspect the fire started on the balcony and that the cause is accidental.